Gingrich campaign reports shows he’s millions behind Romney

CELEBRATION — A constant critic of his millionaire opponent’s wild spending, Newt Gingrich raised nearly $10 million in the last three months of last year but ended 2011 about $1.2 million in debt, according to a campaign finance report filed today.

The Associated Press said the report showed the GOP presidential candidate started the year with about $2 million in the bank.

A Gingrich spokesman said roughly half came from people who gave more than $250 while the other half was from those who gave $250 or less.

“We are a campaign of small dollar donations,” R.C. Hammond told reporters as the former House speaker wrapped up his election day campaigning. Hammond said about 200,000 small-dollar donations have been made to the campaign this year.

His campaign told the Associated Press that the campaign has raised about $5 million since Gingrich’s surprise victory in South Carolina earlier this month.

All candidates have to file their reports by midnight. Reports filed by Gingrich’s chief rival, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, weren’t available. As of Sept. 30, Romney had raised $32.6 million, compared to Gingrich’s $2.9 million.